(08/04/06) ELIZABETH ? This week?s stifling heat may have claimed a third victim in New Jersey, this time in Elizabeth.

Police found the body of John Socha in his South Second Street home just after 4 p.m. Friday. According to police, temperatures inside the residence hovered around 100 degrees. They say the windows were closed despite high temperatures outside.

Socha?s neighbors grew suspicious when they noticed flies swarming inside the victim?s home. A mail carrier also knew something was wrong when Socha, who usually greeted her at the gate, failed to retrieve his mail for days. Police say the body could have been in the house four or five days. The medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

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